OUR TEAM
Casa Del Maestro is the medicine home of Don Alberto Torres Dávila.
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We are primarily staffed by Maestro Alberto’s extended family and supported by a professional, longstanding medicine team. The Casa provides safe, transformative experiences with Amazonian plant medicine, ayahuasca, and traditional plant dietas within Maestro’s lineage.
MAESTRO ALBERTO TORRES DÁVILA
HEAD MAESTRO OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
Maestro Don Alberto Torres Dávila is a well-known and widely respected curandero (healer) in the local Ucayali region of Peru. He began his plant medicine path at the age of 8 under the guidance of his grandparents. He followed a strict program of successive plant medicine diets over the next twelve years. He was given the title of Maestro in his early 20’s. His ancestors come from a long line of plant medicine healers, and Maestro Alberto represents this unbroken lineage to this day.
He loves to share his medicine with people from all over the world. He treats every guest with respect and takes care that each person receives the medicine they need. It is estimated that he has had over 6,000 ceremonies and over 100 plant diets. In addition to his work at Casa Del Maestro, he offers healing to his local community.
After 17 years working outside of Iquitos, Maestro Alberto founded Casa Del Maestro near his hometown in 2020. He is the head of the mesa, leads ceremonies and oversees all plant medicine healing.
MAESTRO ELISEO TORRES RODRIGUEZ
MAESTRO OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
Eliseo Torres Rodriguez is the son of Maestro Alberto. He started his training as a curandero when he was about 15 under the tutelage of his father. He is the only one of Maestro Alberto’s children to have apprenticed with him and is next in line to carry forward their family’s lineage. He was awarded the title of Maestro in 2014 and has participated in thousands of ceremonies, with locals and foreigners alike. He has led plant dietas, supports his father in ceremonies, and has worked for nearly a decade at retreat centers as well as in local settings.
Maestro Eliseo has a kindhearted approach to his medicine, and his beautiful icaros carry a soothing, powerful essence. Guests really connect with his steady, caring, and humble energy. Maestro Eliseo is also the main ayahuasca cook at Casa Del Maestro and works hard to perfect each brew within his family’s tradition of plant medicine.
MATTHEW TOUSSAINT
PROGRAM DIRECTOR & HEAD FACILITATOR
Matthew Toussaint is originally from upstate New York. He has a background in Cultural Anthropology, where he conducted original ethnographic research on the emergence of ayahuasca shamanism in Western contexts. He first went to Peru to drink ayahuasca in 2008, and that experience was life-changing.
For the next six years Matthew continued to deepen his relationship with the plants until he relocated to Peru in 2014. Since then he has worked professionally with plant medicine in a variety of contexts: at two retreat centers, in private groups, and in one-on-one sessions. He teamed up with Maestro Alberto and Casa Del Maestro in 2021.
Matthew helps coordinate and manage the administration of our retreat programs, translates for guests, supports the guest experience, and serves as an apprentice to Maestro Alberto. He loves the work and is honored to share this medicine with the world.
ANNA PETROVA
FACILITATOR & RUSSIAN TRANSLATOR
Anna Petrova grew up in a small town in northern Russia. She has a Bachelor's degree in social psychology and has been passionate about various practices such as yoga, pranayama, meditation, nutrition, and other techniques that support self-development.
Anna was first acquainted with ayahuasca and Maestro Alberto in 2012. It was a very deep experience for her, and she was able to leave behind difficult past trauma and many negative moments from her life. In 2013, Anna started helping as a volunteer at an ayahuasca retreat center in Peru and later become a permanent assistant, supporting guests with their process both in and out of ceremony.
She is currently dedicated to her work at Casa Del Maestro as a retreat facilitator, and interpreter for our Russian speaking guests.
DANTE GARCIA ANGULO
HEAD OF OPERATIONS
Dante Garcia Angulo, a native of Tarapoto, Peru, and a son-in-law of Maestro Alberto, brings a unique blend of creativity and administrative skills to Casa Del Maestro. With a background in graphic design, Dante is currently in his first cycle of Business Administration studies, showcasing his commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Dante plays a vital role in the day-to-day operations of our retreats. His creative mindset from his design background complements his administrative duties, contributing to the seamless coordination of various tasks within the Casa.
As a valued member of our team, he plays an integral role in enhancing the overall guest experience, and his culinary creations provide a delightful, unique experience of the vibrant flavors of the region.
AZUCENA GORDON DOSANTOS
HEAD OF KITCHEN & HOUSEKEEPING
Azucena Gordon Dosantos is an absolute gem to have at Casa Del Maestro. She brings the magic to the kitchen, with a caring sense of what it really means to nourish the body and the soul.
Originally from Requena, just up the river from Herrera, and Maestro Eliseo's wife, we are inspired by—and benefit from!—her culinary creativity that brings delicious, filling and healthy meals for all. She has a natural willingness to ensure our guests are fed and happy.
A core part of our team, Azucena often goes out of her way to make things happen—for staff, family, and guests alike—and our retreats are that much better for her efforts and presence.
MELVIN SHAPIAMA TORRES
MAINTENANCE & HOUSEKEEPING
Melvin Shapaima Torres, our diligent facilities wizard at Casa Del Maestro, is dedicated to maintaining high standards of cleanliness and order. Born in Genaro Herrera and a proud grandson of Maestro Alberto, Melvin's commitment to his role goes beyond routine tasks.
He oversees the cleaning and upkeep of our spaces, ensuring the best possible environment for our guests. His responsibilities include the meticulous preparation of the maloca for ceremony as well as utilizing his attention to detail and artistic eye in just about every nook, cranny and corner!
A warm presence, Melvin actively interacts and chats with our guests, creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. His genuine interest in their well-being contributes to the overall positive ambiance of Casa Del Maestro.
In addition to his cleaning duties, Melvin plays a crucial role in monitoring and restocking supplies, making sure that we never run low on essentials, and generally helps the Casa operate smoothly.
JHEFFRI NAVARRO TORRES
OPERATIONS SUPPORT
Jheffri Navarro Torres was born in Genaro Herrera and is one of Maestro Alberto's many grandchildren. Before coming to the Casa, Jheffri studied systems engineering in Iquitos, Peru.
He primarily focuses on supporting the day-to-day functioning of our retreats and helps to make sure the overall experience is smooth and met with excellence. This includes delivering supplies and cargo, transporting guests during our weekly activities, as well as coordinating between the Casa’s various teams and daily needs.
Family is the lifeblood of Casa Del Maestro. We are staffed almost exclusively by members of Maestro Don Alberto’s extended family. Each of our staff members has an intuitive sense of the medicine work and knows how to support this process. They all take pride in what they do, and it shows in the space they help to cultivate and nurture.
